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Tiny Tim and Mr. Fred Fallin at Ukulele Hall Of Fame Museum's show
From George Koury:
Mr. Fred Fallin is a terrific Ukulele player, entertainer and musicologist.
He calls himself a "Ukulele Advocate", performing and teaching a highly entertaining and informative workshop all around the country, including Hawaii.
Tiny never got to perform that evening. He collapsed just before he was to begin singing.
He was taken to a nearby hospital. The Ukulele Expo that year ended on a Saturday.
Most of the staff remained until Sunday to pack up the displays, etc.
All other participants returned home after the Expo.
Fred decided to stay in the area for a few days to visit the local countryside.
He realized that Tiny was in a nearby hospital.
Realizing that Tiny would be alone, Fred paid him a visit to cheer him up.
On Monday, September 30, 1996, at 11:15 am, Fred went to the I.C. Unit of the Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, MA.
He gave his business card to the attending nurse, who gave it to Tiny.
Realizing it was his friend and colleague, he smiled and asked the nurse to send him back immediately.
As there were only curtains separating the beds in the I.C. Unit, they had to speak in whispers.
Fred sang a Get Well Singing/Ukulelegram for Tiny. The lyrics were written by him, especially for Tiny.
They were sung to the tune of "You Made Me Love You."
Tiny was really thrilled to hear this song and for the visit.
Soon the doctor on call came by and sternly announced to Fred, "You have to leave now",
probably not realizing that they had about a ten minute visit with each other.
Fred winked at Tiny, bidding him farewell. Tiny blew back a kiss in his very special way.
For additional reference:
Mr. Frederick C. Fallin
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I recently had the pleasure of meeting him and seeing his lecture at the Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum yearly
Ukulele Expo in Pennsylvania. Shortly before his death in 1996, Tiny Tim was set to headline the bill at
the Ukulele Hall Of Fame Museum's show on September 28th at the Book Mill in Montague, MA.
Fred Fallin was also part of the line-up for that show. That evening, Tiny stood in the off stage area,
listening carefully to all of Fred's set, which included the song, "You Made Me Love You".
Before Tiny was supposed to go on, he spent some time in the performer's waiting room with Fred.
He asked Fred to play "You Made Me Love You" again for him.
They posed for photos and exchanged stories centered around their great love for music and the Ukulele.
Fred commented on just one example of Tiny's generosity.
Tiny showed 2 publicity photos of himself to Fred, with the intention of autographing one for him.
When Fred had some trouble deciding which one to take, Tiny autographed both.
As it turned out, no one else had come to visit Tiny in the hospital, so he was really happy to see Fred.
Because of their great love for the Ukulele and the music of Tin Pan Alley, the two shared a special bond.
They exchanged many stories.
Fred said, "Now Tiny, we all want you to get well so you can play for the Ukulele Hall of Fame Expo next year.
Tiny responded, "You mean the Ukulele Hall of Shame!" Tiny was very humble and self effacing.
He was comparing his simple style of playing to some of the other musicians who were very facile with the
Ukulele and could play some very complicated music on the instrument.
Fred commented, "You might not be a Les Paul, but you are the Gene Autry of the Ukulele"!
Tiny, having an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music, really understood and appreciated the compliment.
Autry was a singing cowboy. He was hugely popular.
While he had many hit records, perhaps his most popular was that of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" recorded in 1949;
it sold 2 million copies that year, becoming one of the best selling Christmas songs of all time.
His style of guitar playing, like Tiny's ukulele technique, was simple.
Every young boy, and many girls, inspired by Autry, wanted a guitar.
Tiny, likewise, did more than anyone else, perhaps second to Arthur Godfrey, to popularize the ukulele.